Introduction
Do you have a drug-addicted buddy for whom you'd want to stage an intervention? You may have seen one on TV and thought it was a wonderful idea. But how do you go about staging an intervention? What should and should not happen during an intervention?
Continue reading to learn how to give your buddy an intervention that will benefit them rather than damage them.
What Happens During an Intervention?
You may be contemplating conducting an intervention if you are concerned about a friend or family member's drug or alcohol addiction. An intervention is an organized dialogue between the addicted individual and their loved ones in which the scope of the issue is explored and remedies are presented.
An intervention should ideally be conducted by alcohol and drug intervention professionals, who will assist in keeping the dialogue on course. It is crucial to know what should happen in an intervention, even if you are conducting it yourself, since seeking aid from alcohol and drug intervention programs is not always available.
1. The dialogue should be constructive.
The goal of an intervention is to persuade someone who is struggling with addiction to seek assistance. This implies that rather than assigning blame, the debate should be focused on finding a solution.
It's crucial to refrain from leveling charges or criticizing the person's character. Instead, concentrate on how their addiction has affected you and your family. It's a good idea to write down what you want to say ahead of time so you don't go off course during the chat.
2. Proposals for solutions should be made available.
It's time to start talking about solutions once the issue has been addressed. The goal is to get the individual with addiction issues into treatment, thus suggestions on how to do so should be offered.
If at all feasible, provide information about treatment alternatives so that your friend or family member may make an educated decision about the kind of assistance they need. It's also critical to provide transportation and childcare assistance so that getting therapy isn't hindered.
3. The discussion should take place in a secure environment.
Because an intervention may be an emotionally charged session, it must take place in a secure and supportive setting.
This entails selecting a peaceful location where you won't be disturbed, as well as ensuring that everyone engaged is ready for the discussion. It may also be beneficial to have someone on hand to provide emotional support if things get too stressful.
4. If treatment is not sought, there should be consequences.
It's critical to make it plain that if the individual struggling with addiction does not seek assistance, there will be repercussions. These should be carefully evaluated ahead of time and may include being asked to leave the family home or being financially cut off.
The goal is not to coerce or frighten the individual into therapy, but to make it obvious that their actions have repercussions. This may encourage them to get assistance since they will realize how their addiction is negatively affecting their lives.
What Shouldn't Take Place During a Crisis Intervention?
It's critical to understand not just what should happen during an intervention, but also what should not happen. Here are some of the most typical blunders individuals make during an intervention:
1. Threatening or Demanding
As previously said, it is critical to emphasize that failing to seek therapy has repercussions. This should not, however, be done in a threatening or demanding manner.
Making demands or delivering ultimatums will only alienate the individual suffering from addiction and make them less inclined to seek assistance. It's crucial to keep in mind that they're dealing with a significant mental condition, so threats and demands are unlikely to work.
2. Criticizing the person's personality
During an intervention, it's also crucial to avoid criticizing the person's character. Calling them names or hurling personal insults are examples of this.
Remember that the goal of the intervention is to persuade the addict to get assistance, not to make them feel bad about themselves. Attacking their character will simply make them defensive, and they will be less inclined to listen to you.
3. Reminding People of Past Mistakes
It is critical to concentrate on the present and future during an intervention rather than the past. This entails refraining from bringing up previous gaffes or disagreements.
If the individual with addiction issues has stolen from you in the past, for example, now is not the time to bring it up. This will just aggravate them and make them less inclined to listen to your concerns.
Conclusion
To have a successful intervention, make sure you follow these guidelines. If you're still unsure, get help from an alcohol and drug interventionist.